Psychiatry & Psychotherapy Podcast

Postpartum Psychosis: Diagnosis, Treatment, Lithium, and Relapse Prevention with Dr. Veerle Bergink

Freitag, 18. September 2026 · 52 min

MP3

Shownotes

In this essential episode of the Psychiatry & Psychotherapy Podcast, Dr. David Puder sits down with internationally renowned expert Dr. Veerle Bergink, Director of Mount Sinai's Women's Mental Health Center, for an in-depth discussion of postpartum psychosis. Covering early warning signs and symptoms, differential diagnosis including anti-NMDA receptor encephalitis and thyroid issues, a highly effective acute treatment algorithm using benzodiazepines, antipsychotics, and lithium, the remarkable 98% remission rates with proper care, lithium's superior role in preventing relapse during the first postpartum year, the simple but powerful prophylaxis strategy of "baby out, lithium in" for high-risk women with bipolar disorder or prior episodes, the urgent need for mother-baby psychiatric units in the U.S., and the ongoing push to formally classify postpartum psychosis in the DSM.

Link to blog
Link to YouTube video (youtu.be/fW9xmccggV4)
By listening to this episode, you can earn 0.75 Psychiatry CME Credits.

0:00 / 0:00